2020 Tours

I'm thinking 2020 and tours...

I'm ready to get my tunes (or Podcasts) plugged in and hit the road (and air). I'm always so excited to do these trips. I love meeting new people, helping businesses with great photographs and spending time in our beautiful country.

CONFIRMED TOURS (dates to be set):

Queensland

South Australia

Western Australia

*Let me know if you want me to come to you - even if it’s outside of these areas.

Of course, I'll be offering a full range of photography, including my popular $450 Editorial Package. You can check them out here. For a tailored photography package call or email me. We can work out something that suits you perfectly.

A big difference in 2020, though.... I also want to collaborate with regions - and even more powerful way of creating images that can be used to inspire people to travel, learn and discover while having fun. When I collaborate with regions, everyone works together and gets access to the photos - it creates more cohesive visuals, a lot more access and images being shown in multiple places in many ways. And you know what happens when a person keeps seeing the same place and amazing things they can do there? It gets on their radar!

We had great fun and success in 2019 doing precisely this in Flinders Ranges and Outback, Coober Pedy, Innamincka and Birdsville.

Here is a little of the fun we had…

https://www.heidiwho.com/travels/2019/8/15/southern-flinders-ranges

https://www.heidiwho.com/travels/2019/8/15/flinders-ranges

https://www.heidiwho.com/travels/2019/8/16/strzelecki-track-the-outback-and-innamincka

And a couple of pics from Birdsville…

"ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS."

"PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD."

Sayings that have been around for years and are still critical to your success.

Part of the foundation of a great marketing plan is incredible, professional photographs. Without them, your online (well, any marketing) presence fails. And let's face it, the world is going online. Customers and guests first impression of you is very likely to be online. Make it a good one. Create a connection. Show them how great you are.

Get in touch if you are interested in having fun while creating a collection of photographs that tell your story in a real and beautiful way. Tell me 'where to go'.

How Important are Photos in Your Marketing Strategy?

Your photo library is the visual foundation on which any marketing strategy is built. 

Research says you have eight seconds to catch the eye of a Gen Z.

And for print - the decision to read or reject pamphlets and direct mail pieces is made by readers in

just 2.5 seconds. 

Travellers want to visualise potential new experiences. How will it make them feel? To stand out in the tourism industry and inspire travellers to book you over competitors, place compelling visuals centre-stage throughout your marketing. There are two types - hero images and

stock/complementary images.

'Hero Shots' are your defining images - what sets you apart. 

They are "wow" photographs that make the viewer think "I want to be there now"; They grab attention quickly in a saturation of images. A library of promotional images complements the hero shots. These images are less memorable but just as necessary to tell the story.  Just like a magazine with their hero image on the cover, and the additional photos within the article.

Your appeal and uniqueness

+

great idea/concept

+

awesome team

=

Hero image

Uniqueness/appeal could be a landmark, a feeling or an experience.

The great idea revolves around a story. What does your ideal audience want to see? Weather, atmosphere, activity, talent similar to themselves? Let your audience imagine it could be them

there, enjoying your destination.

Find the production team you need and trust. Look at their portfolio, get to know them, find recommendations. You have to be comfortable and confident.

Finally, make sure your images (hero and stock) sit firmly within your marketing brand. They should be images that define you and make you unique.

Thousands of dollars are being spent taking those images into the marketplace - websites, promotional collateral, travel shows, social media - it makes sense to do it properly from the start.

CLIENT: Oceanview Eco Villas

Part 2: Open and ready for you!

Oceanview Eco Villas is a luxurious and memorable off the grid experience. Tim and Tamsin Wendt have built these villas on their stunning 500-acre coastal property at Nepean Bay on Kangaroo Island.

It's a place to relax and get yourself back into nature. Either watching the kangaroos grazing while you relax on your deck, sipping wine while relaxing back in the large bath while watching the sunset, or being more active outside. There are trails through the yackas and beach walks, where you can encounter kangaroos, birds and other wildlife.

And the eco part is pretty amazing too — Eco designers, solar power, eco products and technology plus completely off-grid. The list is endless; check out their website to be wowed.

I've been to Oceanview Eco Villas twice for photoshoots now. Each time I took a little time to wander around the property early morning - I found it a balancing way to start the day. I could hear the birds sing, see the kangaroos graze and watch the colours of early morning ooze across the sky.

Check out more pics and info here.

Southern Flinders Ranges

Look closely; there's so much to discover! I wish I had before now.

There's art, wine, trails, pubs, fishing, food... and the beautiful landscape that makes the Flinders Ranges. But closer to Adelaide - making it a more accessible option for a quick getaway.

Over two days, I discovered the area, photographing it for Flinders Ranges and Outback tourism. From being in awe of the Wirrabara silo art detail (which I eventually remembered how to pronounce) to hiking through the bush. 'Just around the corner' taking us further and further inland to find the ideal spot to photograph. Not that I cared, it was all beautiful, and I love hiking. Warming up with coffee by the fire at Over the Edge and wine by the big fire later that night at Under the Mount made it all the sweeter.

My favourite town here is Melrose. She melted me: the buildings, the surrounding landscape, the country friendliness. I wanted to stay longer. Perhaps without the sub-zero morning temperatures though.

My takeaway. Stay longer.

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/flinders-ranges-outback/mount-remarkable-national-park - great for bike riding and hikes

https://otesports.com/locations/melrose/ - cafe and all things bikes

https://www.underthemount.com.au/ - has to be the best fire in town!

https://wirrabara.com.au/silo-art - silo art that inspires

https://reservoirs.sa.gov.au/reservoirs/beetaloo - fishing

Flinders Ranges

Who's been to the Flinders? I used to go as a child. Camping, hiking, Grandpa catching rabbits for tea that night, my cousins and I making graves, complete with named headstones, for the baby ones caught.

I've taken my kids camping up there too.

But recently I've been working around the Flinders - and discovering how much there is. Station stays, food, helicopter flights, beautiful accommodation. It's not all camping and hiking. The landscape, the feeling, the weathered peaks and rocky gorges... they are a given. It really is one of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes I've seen.

The Flinders Ranges is the largest mountain range in South Australia, which starts about 200 km north of Adelaide and stretch for over 400km. I follow the main highways, back roads to stations and even some scenic off-road tracks (in my little VW Golf) when I take the wrong way. It's all quite an entertaining adventure.

Pics below:

https://www.facebook.com/flindersfoodco/ - delicious food in Hawker

https://southaustralia.com/products/flinders-ranges/attraction/kanyaka-ruins-station - some history

https://www.barossahelicopters.com.au/parachilna/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4MmwlZvo5AIVjYRwCh2PWAA4EAAYASAAEgJaMPD_BwE - fly over the Flinders

http://www.stationstayssa.com.au/station/mt-little-station/ - farm stay

https://www.jeffmorgangallery.com.au/ - art gallery in Hawker

https://southaustralia.com/products/flinders-ranges/attraction/old-wilpena-station - some history at Wilpena

Prairie Hotel, Parachilna

When I first started doing vision boards, a photo of the Prairie Hotel was on one. It was actually a journal I had covered with photos of what I want to do, where I want to go, and who I want to be.

I didn't know much about the hotel, but I knew it looked awesome, was in the middle of nowhere and you could stand outside have a drink looking out over vast empty land. And it was in northern South Australia, in the Flinders Ranges. All very doable.

I 'ticked' it off my list a few years ago, visiting for lunch while camping at Wilpena Pound. I love how we can 'pop over' to Parachilna, two hours from Wilpena, for lunch, but yet in Adelaide a 45 minute drive is a consideration for lunch.

A couple of months ago, I stayed at Prairie Hotel en route to Innamincka. I sat by the outside fire, glass of wine in hand, chatting to people. I watched people come and go in the front bar while sipping my (err, third) coffee next morning. I even 'oohed' and 'ahhed' over the inspiring views I had with a chopper flight over the Flinders Ranges early morning.

Why go to the Prairie Hotel? The yummy food, the comfy bed, and the quiet vastness that envelopes the hotel are my fave reasons. It's also a great place to refresh on your drive.

Strzelecki Track, the outback and Innamincka

I am an ocean girl. It's where I feel happiest, most alive, relaxed and 'at home'. So to take me to the Outback is a little adventure. I love my adventures, where I discover, learn and have fun. Then re-align myself with the ocean when I get back home.

I had a photoshoot for The Outback Loop, Innamincka Hotel and Flinders Ranges and Outback this year. It took me on a long weekend trip into the Outback via the Strzelecki Track. Lots of red dust and billions of flies. I didn't mind the dust (although the camera probably hated me for it) but the flies - argh, I can never get used to them. We would arrive anywhere, in the middle of nowhere, and within seconds, have flies swarming us. My hands were working a constant windscreen wiper motion across my face.

But it was worth it. The beauty of being surrounded by vast nothingness. The quietness. The colours. The people. The history of Burke and Wills. And let's not forget the dancing in the front bar - true country style, after a few beers (or wine for me).

Country life depends on community, weather and the natural environment. Visiting this area is a real world classroom. At least once, everyone should get themselves into the Outback.

CLIENT: West Beach Parks

Want to get away but not have to drive for hours? I've been told many people come and stay here so that they can escape the norm. It's central, on the coast and has everything. This is definitely the place to come to make sure the kids have fun - and give you enough time to enjoy your cuppa and book in peace.

Pools, games rooms, waterslides, waterpark, playground, jumping pillow, cafe and now fitness centre, sensory room and loads of x-boxes (or whatever they are ;)). Seriously, you could have a whole morning or afternoon without seeing the kids!

I was back at West Beach Parks last month to photograph the upgraded games area plus the new gym and sensory room. I am impressed - caravan parks are offering so much now. Especially for families - it's a perfect accommodation choice. Maybe I'll be heading to West Beach next holidays?

https://www.westbeachparks.com.au/

CLIENT: Upalinna Station, Flinders Ranges

Upalinna means 'Little Water' in the Adnyamathana language.

Upalinna is a family-owned and operated working sheep station, located on the Eastern side of Ikara Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Don't do what I did and take The Outback Highway (towards Parachilna) out of Hawker then have to traverse the Moralana Scenic Drive track in a little VW. Makes for slow progress on the dirt and rock. Take the Flinders Ranges Way (towards Wilpena).

There are bush campsites and shearers quarters. Some very fancy shearers quarters that sleep 14 people.

Five bedrooms, classically styled kitchen, dining and lounge room with open fireplace and bread oven that's great for cooking pizza in. Outside is an entertaining area with bbq plus a firepit down by the creek. I loved standing virtually on top of the fire defrosting after photographing in the cold all day.

Check out the pics... a bit nice.

http://www.upalinnastation.com.au/

CLIENT: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, Dept for Environment and Water

This is the second time I've done the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail in July - the middle of frosty winter! But instead of camping out on the trail, this time we stayed in the nearby Cape du Couedic Lighthouse Keepers Cottages, giving us the chance to warm up each night.

When my client asked if I would like to do this shoot - I jumped at the chance. I love KIWT and love working outdoors in a natural environment. A perfect shoot. Except that it was in the middle of winter in one of the most southerly and exposed parts of South Australia. Hmm.

We got very lucky. The first day was overcast with grey clouds and a sprinkle of rain but the following two days were sunny and blue skies. Considering part of the brief was to get multi-season hiking vibes, it worked perfectly.

This year I started a group for street casting - and I was very fortunate to take a group of four amazing people with me (and met some more crazy people over there to join our troupe). Two Clients, someone I had photographed for another client, and his friend met me early Monday morning and caught the Sealink ferry over. Nobody knew each other, which is a gamble when going away for two nights and three days of shooting. But I needn't worry - the group made 'best friends' with each other near instantly.

We photographed everyone in different styles and situations - solo, combos of couples, friends and mother and daughter.

We all had a great time. Many laughs, jokes and new friendships. Plus got lots of great photos.

Here are some of my fave pics.